UNLV is 3-0 entering Mountain West Conference (MWC) play, but the Runnin’ Rebels will have to find a way forward without their starting quarterback.
UNLV added Holy Cross transfer quarterback Matthew Sluka from the portal during the offseason, arriving to play for offensive coordinator Brennan Marion (the former Pitt wide receivers coach), but Sluka isn’t going to finish the season.
It appears that Sluka is opting out of the season due to NIL issues, writing on Twitter:
“I have decided to utilize my redshirt year and will not be playing in any additional games this season. I committed to UNLV based on certain representations that were made to me, which were not upheld after I enrolled. Despite discussions, it became clear that these commitments would be able to be fulfilled in the future. I wish my teammates the beat of luck this season and hope for the continued success of the program.”
Sluka completed 21-of-48 pass attempts (43.8%) for 318 yards with six touchdowns and an interception, adding 39 carries for 253 yards (6.5 yards per carry) and a touchdown, in three games this season.
UNLV has beaten Houston and Kansas in its non-conference slate this season, along with Utah Tech, and the Rebels are one of the Group of Five squads that have received legitimate College Football Playoff interest so far this season. But this decision is a game-breaker.
The decision from Sluka is one of the first major NIL opt-outs.
In the age of NIL and (soon-to-be) revenue sharing, it’s all about money. But there hasn’t been a player from a contending squad who has opted out due to NIL promises. Sluka is the first major opt out and his decision will surely be remembered going forward.
NIL is a problem for all college coaches, but if a player opts out in the midst of a legitimate playoff chase (no matter how early), it does not bode well for the future of the sport.
Marion will be forced to turn to one of the backups going forward as the Rebels enter MWC play.
This guy is a clown. First, he’s on his second school, and his stats are lame. Second, he’s a quitter. If he’s has a contract, so be it, but from my understanding of this situation, he was trying to negotiate on the fly and wanted increased pay as the season went on.
NIL has truly ruined college football.
No contracts. No rules. Nothing. It’s like Lord of the Flies.
I have zero empathy for college players at this point.
Things will have to get worse before they get better.
i understand your points but for me, i have no idea who said what to whom so i can’t allocate blame yet. it takes 2 to tango.
as for contracts …. well … ask the ACC and FSU and Clemson … regardless of the words, a good attorney will find an opening for a different interpretation.
the old days of honoring commitments, getting the benefit of your bargain, respecting the other side … long gone baby.
Would you go to work still if the contract or agreement made before hand wasn’t upheld? People don’t get paid they wouldn’t go to work why force this kid to? Schools will eventually turn on busts too what happens if a recruit was paid a million dollars but stunk and the school wants their money back? Wait till little power 4 programs can’t make team payroll that day isn’t far away. Look at Iowa state they had to cancel all kinds of renovations to have money to pay players. What a world.
Get ready for more of this … he said/she said … field day for lawyers. I’m not a fan of NIL, even though I know it is the future of “college” sports. that train has left the station but i did not buy a ticket. I know it won’t happen but we need a complete reset.
hope it works out for all. H2P !
More information keeps coming out. Interestingly enough sounds like this kid committed off a verbal agreement that had nothing in writing. Not even a text. Who’s advising these kids?